Two criminals fled after attacking a security van driver in Penge.

Police were called to Melvin Road just before 10.30am this morning (July 7) to reports of an activated alarm on a security van.

The driver, reportedly of a G4S vehicle, was assaulted by two men who then escaped in a getaway car.

Witnesses claim the van was attending the Age Concern care home along the road when the driver was ambushed.

It is believed money was stolen during the incident.

A Met Police spokesman said: “We do not know as yet how much was taken or believed to have been in the van and taken.”

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended treated the driver for facial injuries.

MORE TOP STORIES A 40-year-old Melivn Road resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I saw flashing lights, there’s an ambulance at the top of the road. We were really surprised they were doing a pick-up at the Age Concern.

“We heard the driver was beaten quite badly and a substantial amount of cash was stolen. He was ambushed for money.

“We’ve got the equivalent of CSI here, plain clothes officers doing house-to-house enquiries. They’ve looking in gardens for the men.”

She added: “I’m not worried about them being in my garden, if I had a huge amount of cash I would get out the area.”

The road was said to be closed following the attack.

Age Concern declined to comment. 

More to follow.

Did you see what happened? Get in touch on Rebecca.Flood@london.newsquest.co.uk